At the AAU Junior Olympic Games, there are kids from all over the country competing and some vying for a national championship.
Well, in the 15-16 year old girls high jump, there were two Texas athletes going for all of the marbles.
Jai'Lin King of Refugio, Texas who competes for Sho Up N Sho Out Track Club pulled out a personal record and the win on her last attempt. In doing so, she upset Wonders Oguejiofor from Houston and of The Wings TC.
King said, "I feel good right now because the season has been hard in the high jump and that's my PR." King was on a roll making each of her opening heights until 5-5. She eventually cleared it and and then went 5-7 on the third and final attempt for the win.
As far as competing on the national level, the stakes definitely made King raise her level, "I didn't come in with the best jump or in the top three either, so I just had to bring it."
"I didn't come in with the best jump or in the top three either, so I just had to bring it."- Jai'Lin King - 15-16 Girls HJ Champ
Then there is runner-up Oguejiofor who is more so known for her running abilities. Oguijiofor is the 2018 UIL 6A 800m state champ and is one of the top 400m runners in the state.
However, she does have experience in the high jump. She didn't go into the meet as a top performer from the national qualifier meet as she only had a 5-0 qualifying mark, but Oguejiofor is a state meet qualifier. At Cy Springs, she placed 6th back in May in Austin when she PRed at 5-6.
She would hit 5-5 holding onto the top spot until King wrestled it away with her last jump.
Both King and Oguejiofor have a full week ahead as they will continue to compete in more events at the AAU Junior Olympic Games.